Tag: Main Course

I really enjoyed making this dish, it is a recipe given to me by my lovely friend Liz, who grew up in South Africa, I asked her a while back to tell me more about the food there as I have yet to visit, (but it’s on my list!), and if there were any dishes that are sentimental to her.

Here is a lovely photo of Liz with her Dad back in South Africa and the Beef Curry here is something she remembers really fondly, Liz said that it always reminds her of home and growing up was a popular takeaway treat. As a child her Dad would drive her family to the local Qasba and eat this meal with fresh bananas to give it sweetness. Ancestrally from Portugal, Liz has now returned and lives on the Portuguese Island Madeira, she still makes this for her family and having recently made it for mine, I will be making it again. It’s so easy but so tasty, Liz said it works really well with Chicken too, and the only thing I have done differently in this recipe is rather than cook it on the hob, I finished it off in the oven so I could use a cheaper cut of beef, the apricot jam also works well too…who knew!

Peel and slice the onion and garlic, add to a lidded oven proof pan with 1 tbsp. of olive oil and gentle fry for a few minutes on a medium heat

Add the beef and cook until it starts to brown, add 100ml of water and turn the heat off while you make the paste

To make the paste, mix together all of the paste ingredients, adding a little water if too thick

Mix this in with your meat, add the chopped carrot and potatoes, pop the lid on and cook in the a preheated oven for 1 hour

After 1 hour, add 100ml of water and cook for another hour

After another hour, check if it needs a little more water and add if necessary and cook for another 30 – 45 mins until the meat is really tender

Serve with cooked rice and slices of fresh banana, (for the rice, you can follow pack instructions, or what I do is cook 1 part rice to two parts water, bring the rice to the boil and then simmer lid on for 10mins until all the water is absorbed, do not be tempted to take the lid off until it has finished it’s simmering time!)

Enjoy!

In South Africa, 50,000 children a year, under the age of five die from treatable and preventable disease, many children live in poverty in homes without access to sanitation, poorly educated and victims of abuse and neglect. Save The Children are working closely with 140 Children’s Committees across South Africa to address these issues and are also working with government to make sure healthcare is accessible to children through school. To find out more please visit:

The fresh mint sauce used here, can be used to add some zing to things like steak, chicken and pork too. You can also use a variety of fish, I have gone for cheap pirch steaks but really it will go well with anything not too flaky!

For the Fresh Mint Sauce: Good sized bunch of fresh mint, 1 dried or fresh green or red chilli, juice of 1/2 a lime, 2 tbsps. of olive oil, pinch of salt.

Method

Make your green sauce first, in a blender add all of the ingredients and blitz to a sauce like consistency, set aside

Cook your rice as per pack instructions

Mix the turmeric, flour and salt together and lightly coat your fish on both sides with the mix

Heat some oil in a pan, then add your fish and cook on each side for about 4 minutes

When ready to serve plate up with your rice, drizzle the fresh mint sauce over the top, top with the ginger and lime wedges

Enjoy!

Save The Children have been supporting Children in Nepal since 1976, working with over 100 organisations across Nepal to develop programmes that protect children, help them to receive education and live in safety. After the earthquake in 2015, which left thousands dead and destroying homes, schools and medical centres, Save The Children, through their emergency appeal, have been working to put in place long term plans to offer support to those effected by natural disasters. To find out more please visit:

So how was the month of May? Weather a bit warmer, perhaps warm enough for your first BBQ or Al Fresco dining experience?

For FeastforFamine, May was a simple month with easy, straight forward recipes making the most of basic ingredients like eggs, starting with a visit to England for Egg and Bacon Oven Baked Muffins, great for a brunch, breakfast on the go, or as part of a picnic.

Remember all recipes are created for you not only to enjoy, but to also raise awareness of the struggles these countries face on a daily basis, so if you would like to make a donation to Save The Children who are working everyday to support children around the World, please visit my just giving page by clicking the link Just Giving for more information.

Heat 1 tbsp. of oil in an oven proof pan and add your pork and onions, lightly browning the pork for a few minutes

Turn the heat off and add 500ml of chicken stock, juice of a whole lemon, 1 tbsp. of white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. of dried oregano

Place in the oven with the lid on and cook for 1 hour

After one hour, remove from the oven and using a wooden spoon start to break the pork down by pushing down on the the meat

Cook for another hour, breaking down the pork again and now add your drained beans and sweetcorn, mix in well and place the butternut squash on top

Add 200ml of water and put back in the oven for 25mins

To make your potato cheese patties, peel and chop the potatoes into chunks

Place in a pan and cover with cold water, bring to the boil and then simmer for 15mins until the potatoes start to break down a little

Drain the potatoes, add a pinch of salt and pepper and two tbsp of grated cheddar cheese

Allow to cool slightly before making into patties and gently frying in a little oil for 4 mins each side, or until they start to make a golden crust

Aim to make about two patties per person, you may need to make these in batches

Serve with the slow cooked pork and enjoy!

Although Ecuador is a country rich in oil, a majority of the Ecuadorian population live in poverty and the indigenous people of Ecuador have been subjected to a long history of discrimination, often illiterate, due to poverty and poor education, children are also at threat of violence, people trafficking and the dangers resulting from drug trade in the country. Save The Children are currently working with the government and 65 different children groups to help shape a better future for the children of Ecuador. To find out more please visit:

Growing up I was so lucky to live next door to a wonderful family, who came over from the Philippines in the 70s. I have such fond memories of playing with their daughter Marianne when I was little, but most of all I remember their generosity, as more often than not they would knock on our door with steaming plates of noodles, chicken and other delicious foods! I have kept in touch with the family ever since, who still live next door to my childhood home. I have been in touch with them recently and Marianne and her father Tony have shared with me one of their noodle recipes and a really tasty, but simple marinade that they used on the chicken.

I made this recipe recently for my own family and it felt so good to share this delicious dish and the happy memories attached to it, I hope you enjoy it too!

First make your chicken marinade, thinly slice your garlic clove and mix together with the ketchup and soy sauce

Coat your drumsticks in the mixture and leave in the fridge for at least 30mins or overnight

Preheat your oven to 210F, place your chicken in the middle of the oven and cook for 35 – 45 mins turning half way through and checking that your chicken is cooked before serving, (use a knife close to the bone to make sure all the juices are clear)

While your chicken is cooking prepare your noodles

Thinly slice your onion and garlic and set aside

Thinly shred the cabbage and dice all the other vegetables

In a wok or deep saucepan heat the oil and gently cook the onion and garlic for 5 mins

To this now add the chicken stock made with 100ml of water and the soy sauce, mix and add the rest of your veg to the pan, give it a good stir

Now add your dried noodles and 720ml of boiling water

Bring to a high simmer and leave your noodles to absorb all the water for 6 – 8 minutes stirring occasionally ( I have never cooked noodles like this before and was a bit nervous, but it worked a treat and it meant that they soaked up ALL of the flavours).

Serve the steaming noodles with your cooked chicken and enjoy…I know I did!

Save The Children have been working in the Philippines since 1981, but more recently have been helping to rebuild communities after the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Sadly just two years later the Philippines were struck again, in 2015 by Koppu, displacing 700,000 people. Save The Children are now working hard to help these families rebuild their lives and prepare for future emergencies. If you would like to find out more please visit:

Ingredients: 2 – 4 Tuna Steaks, (depending on size and how many you are making this for), 1 small – medium onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 small can of sweetcorn, 200g of new potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp of dried oregano, 1 lime, 1/2 tsp. of salt, good mil of black pepper, small bunch of fresh herbs of your choice (I used parsley but can use coriander).

Method

Peel and finely chopped your onion and garlic cloves,

Add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to a lidded pan and add your chopped onion and garlic and cook on a medium heat for 5 mins

Peel and chop into small chunks your potato and carrot

Add to the pan with 200ml of cold water, the sweetcorn including any juices, oregano and salt and pepper

Pop the lid on and cook on a low heat for 20mins

After 20mins add your tuna steaks on top of the stew, put the lid back on and cook for 8 -10mins

Serve immediately with a good squeeze of lime, and your fresh herbs

Enjoy!

As well as the devastation of natural disasters, Columbia has been caught in an ongoing conflict for decades, with an estimated 7 million people being displaced from their homes over the last 50 years. Despite this conflict, thousands of Venezuelans are coming to Columbia to leave behind desperate conditions. As a result hospitals are running out of medical care and children are in danger of human trafficking. Save The Children are working with communities and schools affected by the ongoing conflict to ensure child protection and they are also providing support for those coming across the border and working to prevent the exploitation of children. To find out more please visit:

Make your marinade for the lamb, place the peeled garlic cloves in a pestle and mortar and add the turmeric, cumin seeds, cinnamon and salt and mix to a paste

Add the paste to the yogurt, mix well and cover the lamb in the mixture and set aside in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight

Preheat your oven to 150F

Peel and slice the carrot and place under the lamb leg

Add 200ml of water, cover with foil and cook in the oven for 3 hours

For the last 15min of cooking time take the foil off and then place back in the oven

Roughly 30mins before you want to serve the lamb make the rice

Cook 1 large cup of rice to two parts water, add to this 1 tsp. of turmeric and 1 cinnamon stick, (you can follow packet instructions or what I normally do is bring the rice to the boil and then simmer lid on for 10mins until all the water is absorbed)

Once cooked, leave the rice to cool slightly while you peel and grate two carrots, and toast the almonds

Add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to a pan and lightly cook the carrots and sultanas for a few minutes

Add to this the rice and a good pinch of salt and half of your toasted almonds, warm through and set aside until ready to serve

Once your lamb is cooked, take the sliced carrot from the bottom of the baking tray and add to a saucepan on a medium heat with 250g of yogurt and 4 tbsps. of juices from the lamb

Bring to the boil then turn the heat off and blitz all in a food processor

Plate up your lamb, by placing the rice underneath, lamb on top, with some more of the lamb juices if you wish and scatter over those almonds!

Serve the spiced carrot yogurt on the side

Enjoy on first sitting and on second sitting using up all those delicious spicy lamb leftovers!

In Afghanistan, Save The Children are working to support the rights of Children, especially girls, who have previously gone without basic education. Young girls are also at risk of exploitation, marriage at a young age and abuse. Boys are also often recruited to armed groups to support their families. In spite of the dangers, Save The Children are there on the ground working to improve health and education, working with communities and religious leaders to effect change. To find out more take a look at the following link: